E.T.A. Hoffmann ranks among the most multi-talented of the Romantic artists: not only did he work as a composer but also as a painter and author.

Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann was born in Königsberg in 1776 and died in Berlin in 1822. In appreciation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whom he deeply admired, he changed his third name to Amadeus. For family reasons, Hoffmann initially began his career studying law, but already spent much time writing, composing music and drawing. After working as an assistant judge for several years, he decided to become an artist in 1807. In Berlin his compositions failed to arouse much interest, prompting him to accept a position as music director in Bamberg in 1808. Although he was fired just a few months afterwards, he was re-employed as assistant director and dramatic adviser at Bamberg's Theatre in 1810 . In 1813, after an ill-fated love for one of his singing pupils came to an abrupt end, Hoffmann returned to Berlin. His works include the opera Undine, Sandman, Ritter Gluck and Kater Murr.